Państwo i Społeczeństwo

2012 (XII) nr 3

Agnieszka Gajda

STACH FROM WARTA SZUKALSKI AND THE TRIBE

OF THE HORNED HEART: THOUGH THIS BE MADNESS,
YET IS THERE METHOD IN IT

Stach z Warty Szukalski i Szczep Rogate Serce,

czyli w tym szaleństwie jest metoda
Abstrakt: Dwie dekady międzywojnia miały w Polsce charakter wyjątkowy. Radość
z odzyskanej wolności osłabiały problemy kraju – zniszczonego wojną i podzielonego
przez zabory. Budowa II Rzeczypospolitej nie miała tylko charakteru politycznego czy
gospodarczego. Grupa artystów, m.in. Marian Wawrzeniecki, Stanisław Jakubowski,
Zofia Stryjeńska czy Stanisław Szukalski, kontynuując dziewiętnastowieczne tradycje
słowianofilskie, przestawiła wizję odrodzonej polskiej kultury narodowej. Pragnęli oni
odrodzenia „prawdziwej” polskiej kultury i sztuki, dominująca bowiem przed zaborami
kultura sarmacka zbankrutowała – zwłaszcza, że jej głównym rysem była swoista trauma,
manifestująca się poczuciem niższości wobec narodów zachodnich. Ten uraz miał być
wynikiem przyjęcia przez Polskę chrztu – fakt ten złamał polską dumę, zniszczył po-
gański porządek Słowian, wprowadzając chrześcijański ład zachodni. Wśród niektórych
polskich myślicieli, do których należeli też neopoganie, dominował pogląd, że uwolnić
się od tego poczucia można poprzez powrót do wyklętej przez wieki słowiańskiej kul-
tury i religii. Słowiański, pogański kontekst był też stałą cechą twórczości Stanisława
Szukalskiego – pojawiał się w każdym numerze redagowanego przez niego czasopisma
„Atak Kraka”. Cechą wyróżniającą twórczość Szukalskiego był również jego negatyw-
ny stosunek do kleru i chrześcijaństwa oraz pochwała słowiańskiej kultury pogańskiej,
która powinna stać się fundamentem wolnej Polski, tzw. Polski II. Było to spojrzenie
122 AGNIESZKA GAJDA

kontrowersyjne, czasami ocierające się o absurd – swego rodzaju słowiańska wersja to-
talitaryzmu – nie budzi jednak zdziwienia, bo teoria formowała się w latach wzrastającej
popularności hitleryzmu, włoskiego faszyzmu, komunizmu, które to ruchy silnie fascy-
nowały autora tejże koncepcji.
Słowa kluczowe: neopogaństwo nacjonalistyczne, pansłowiańskie i panteistyczne, na-
cjonalizm

Two decades between World Wars had an exceptional character in Poland. The
euphoria of freshly regained freedom meddled with problems of a country dev-
astated by war, torn by annexations and dramatically divided. The matter of re-
construction of the II Republic was not of only political or economic character.
Contemporary elites dealt also with Polish culture and art. It was invested into the
reconstruction of relics, museums, galleries, monuments and the places of memo-
ry. Theatres re-start their activity, putting pressure on the patriotic repertoire. Edu-
cation, higher universities, scientific circles are organized. Poles in this time stand
up before the question about the character of Polish culture –during the century
of annexations the Sarmatian culture went bankrupt. The unconscious problem,
even the stigma, according to Maria Janion was the peculiar trauma manifesting
in the inferiority towards others, especially western nations. This trauma was the
outcome of the baptism, which in savage way broke the Polish pride, demolished
the denominational order of things and enforced foreign, meaning better, culture
and religion. Those feelings of inferiority, inherited from generation to genera-
tion, were recognized by some polish thinkers among whom were the neo-pagans
whose means of setting free from this enslavement was via the return to revalu-
ated Slavic pagan culture and religion.1 The regained freedom obliged to making
the next step ahead of Romanticism and the following 19th century epochs, which
developed in completely different historical conditions.
A group of artists, continuing slavophile traditions in Polish art of the 19th
century2, it advocates their own vision of new Polish national culture. Marian
Wawrzeniecki, Stanisław Jakubowski, Zofia Stryjeńska or Stanisław Szukalski
were not only inspired by pagan Slavdom, but also they wanted to take an ac-
tive part in the reconstruction of Polish country by the resurrection of the proto-
Slavonic culture and the inclusion of its spirit into the new national culture. The
idea of creation of the new, strong, truly Polish national art become the aim of
prominent artists, who found the pattern in pagan, legendary Slavdom. Moreover
their activity became the inspiration for Polish neo-pagans, who still use the sym-
bols and works of art created between wars.
1
M. Janion, Niesamowita Słowiańszczyzna. Fantazmaty literatury, Kraków 2006, p. 15–19, 27–29.
2
See: A. Gajda, Pogańska Słowiańszczyzna w literaturze polskiej, „Państwo i Społeczeństwo” 2008,
No. 4; eadem, XIX-wieczne korzenie polskiej myśli rodzimowierczej: słowianofilstwo, gminowładztwo, pogań-
stwo, [in:] Myśl i polityka. Księga pamiątkowa dedykowana profesorowi Jackowi Marii Majchrowskiemu, ed.
B. Szlachta, Kraków 2011, p. 205–224.
 STACH FROM WARTA SZUKALSKI AND THE TRIBE... 123

A major meaning for Polish neo-paganism was held (and still is held) by
Stach z Warty (Stach from Warta) that is the sculptor Stanisław Szukalski (1893–
1987). In 1913 r. after two years of studies, as a result of financial problems and
the misunderstandings with lecturers, he left Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow
claiming, that it makes it impossible for the young, free artists to develop freely
and it imposes on them decadent (that is French and Semitic-Muscovite) notions
of art. “Twórcownia”3 was to be the solution, based on true, native culture. To
achive his aim, Szukalski started the Tribe of Horned Heart, which was even
against the mainstream culture, criticizing the establishment. The motto of the
Tribe was “Loving and Fighting”. Since the half of the 1930’ “Krak”4 appeared
which was the press organ of group. All members were young – Szukalski claimed
that the “old” did not have the strengths to fight for one’s ideals. Members were
taking “miana” (names), that is Slavic pre-Christian names which were often
neologisms (eg. Krasowid, Marzyn, Kurhanin, Ziemitrud, Pracowit, Szczepowid,
Ziemin).

Our emblem: The “Horned Heart”, and the call the order of loving and the fight. Because
love and fight is needed for the engine of idea to give not only whirr of words but also speak
and speed.5

Skipping revolutionary, as for those times means of creation (which

“Twórczyn”6 was to end in Art), promoted by Szukalski, more essential for us are
his not artistic ideas. At Witold Bunikiewicz writings the Tribe “is not the acci-
dental assemblage of men depicting or carving similarly, but the bound of people
sharing the common idea, that is the »reconstruction of Polish consciousness«.”7
And also the beginning the period of Polish national art with the Slavic spirit8.
As Zorian Dołęga Chodakowski9, Szukalski notices the dualism of Polish
culture as well as the society which he divides into the Youth (Młódź), the People
– the Nation and the Old, the Society – the Poland I. A fight with the destructive
3
‘Twórcownia’ is a neologism created from the compilation of words ‘tworzyć’ (to create) and ‘pra-
cownia’ (atelier). All neologisms in this article were translated by Agnieszka Gajda.
4
Krak, Krakus or Grakch, was a legendary Polish prince and founder of Kraków, the ruler of the tribe
of Lechitians (Poles). Krak is also credited with building Wawel Castle.
5
S. Szukalski, Szczep „Rogate Serce”, „Krak” 1930, No. 2 [June], p. 5.
6
‘Twórczyn’ is a neologism created from words ‘twórczość’ (to create)/‘twór’ (creation) and ‘czyn’
(an act, action).
7
W. Bunikiewicz, Wystawa „Rogatego Serca”, „Kurier Warszawski” 1936, No. 176, p. 17–18; L. La-
meński, Stach z Warty Szukalski i Szczep Rogate Serce, Lublin 2007, p. 159–160.
8
S. Żechowski, Na jawie. Wspomnienia z młodości i rysunki, Łódź 1981, p. 90.
9
Zorian Dołęga Chodakowski (Adam Czarnocki) – pioneer of the romantic current of folksiness and
Slavic culture. In 1813/1814 he began expeditions to investigate folklore. In his 1818 pamphlet O Sławiańsz-
czyźnie przed chrześcijaństwem (About the Slavs before Christianity) Chodakowski concentrated on the ancient
religious feelings of the Slavs, seeking in them the soul of the nation and the fundamental distinction between
the Slavs and the peoples of Western Europe. He also introduced the conviction of a duality of culture in Poland,
a native Slavic culture and an imported Latin culture, which would later become an important trope in Polish
literature and art as the notion of “Two Civilisations”.
124 AGNIESZKA GAJDA

caste of the Old is the idée fixe of the artist. Initially concentrated on the decay of
Polish art by “old” professors and “former” artists, so that later widen the genera-
tion conflict on.

Nation falls down by inertia, biological inertia of this racially depleted this social caste,
coming from the social group of townspeople. […] All disasters of human nature, – such as
the weakness of the spirit […] the partitions, the captivity, emigrations, banishment, thou-
sands of executives in prisons, the whole Siberia and the unpredictable drag of the Nation =
all of the fault of these scoundrels who before the partitions the Society were, […] the lords,
covered with laurels, sitting behind desks, from the pulpit and in university desks.10

Szukalski claimed, that the break of contact between the old and the young
generation is necessary (even with the use of violence11) because only in this way
can the poisoning of the Young with the destructive, “slavish” influences be pre-
vented, in order to keep the youthful idealism and “dziewiczyn12 towards eternal
racial youthfulness”13. Szukalski sees the Zorian duality also in its classic form
that is the duality of Polish culture or rather in the division on “the Poland Art”
and the “Art in Poland”:

Up till now we had Art in Poland, but Polish Art was not there yet, unless we turn our faces
towards the forgotten, or rather never studied mother, the folk Art. […] We are, as we were
beforenot grown up enough as society to see value in the resin of our race, gushing with the
folk Art, more we hungered for the easy acquired foreign cultures […], rather than for the
liberation of our spirit knocking to let it go from the undergrounds of our subconsciousness.
The Spirit driven under the ground in the first days of Christianity, was being locked down
again and again when the new strange style was invading Polish culture in its own way.14

Therefore the pagan past of Poland, not contaminated with strange traces,
should be the most important source of inspiration for Polish artists. The Slavic
context of Szukalski thought is his solid feature –already appears in first number
of the Tribe’s periodical “Atak Kraka” (“the Krak’s Attack”) and it occupies the
artist till the end of his days (the monumental work about Zermatism and the
Macimowa – Mother tongue). The distinguishing feature of Szukalski’s medita-
tions is also his negative relation towards the clergy and Christianity and gener-
ally the praise for Slavic pagan culture which should stand as foundation for new,
free Poland II15:

Since the beginning of our well-known history, since the baptism, our nation light hearted
accepted every fashion. We helped invaders slimily […], to murder our fathers’ Gods in
10
S. Szukalski, Naród a Polska, „Krak” 1937, No. 1 [December], p. 34.
11
Idem, Ku Sławji przez Unję Młodych, „Krak” 1937, No. 1 [December], p. 3.
12
‘Dziewiczyn’ is a neologism created from words ‘dziewiczy’ (virgin) and ‘czyn’ (an act, action).
13
S. Szukalski, Ku Sławji przez Unję Młodych…, p. 3.
14
Idem, Atak Kraka. Twórcownie czy Akademie?, Kraków 1929, p. 7–8.
15
Poland II should not be identified exactly as the Second Polish Republic (the post-first world war
Poland). It was ideal, better Poland distinct from the earlier one (Poland I).
 STACH FROM WARTA SZUKALSKI AND THE TRIBE... 125

holy groves. To gain mercy in the other heaven we splitted foreheads of our carved pagan
Gods so that almost nothing left among us to provide for us, to testify that we had fore-
fathers at all. […] Led by Krak we communicate among us, lying one hand down on the
ground, and the second on the heart; we – will advocate its tremble, as holy indication.
We’re ready for fight!16

We are young, so we clung our hearts to revolution and we live with it; all
our strengths and abilities we lie on the crank, having to pull and to push Slavic
art and culture.17 “Our race and nation is our religion, a proof of our citizenship
let our work and usefulness be”.18
Plaiting these two plots together Szukalski drew his vision of so called Po-
land II, vision that is innovatory, controversial and sometimes within borders of
absurdity even. It is important as far as if came into being, it would be the Slavic
version of a totalitarian system (which should not surprise because it was created
in years of growing popularity of pre-war Hitlerism, Italian fascism, communism,
to fascination by which Szukalski admits19). Although little is in that practical
indications of the functioning of the country in the future.
First of all Szukalski aimed at the creation of the Union of Youyh – the
independent organization which aim was the defence of “businesses of creative
youth against the old generation”20. The union was to contribute to the reconstruc-
tion of the socio-national system of Poland, to create so called Poland the Second
in which the Young will hold power. In Szukalski’s plans the Union of Youth
was to become “the utterer of the whole average covering the common ideologi-
cal kinship of the whole Młodarmja21.” Yet Młodarmia, also called the “Army
of Resurection”, later also called the army of the Defenders of Motherland, as
the social organ of the Union of Youth in time of war was to protect the Moth-
erland and in time of peace to decide about matters of Progress, the prosperity
of the country and the readiness for war. Szukalski demanded for the leadership
of Młodarmia because it were it members who were dying for the Nation in mil-
lions – those who make the highest sacrifices need to have voice in time of peace.
It was the first-class feature of the Union of Youth that is its pre-Slavic blade.
Szukalski advocated loftily:

Facing the unification of German nations and the invasion of Mongol Russians on the
world, we stand with great circle to Union of Youth to tie. Seizing the palms extended, we
begin tuning defenders’ horrendous circle of Indivisible Sławia.22
16
S. Szukalski, „Krak” 1 1930, No. 2 [June], p. 1.
17
Idem, Szczep „Rogate Serce”…, p. 5.
18
Szukalski’s letter to Tribe members (probably from 1930), in L. Lameński, Stach z Warty Szukal-
ski…, p. 211.
19
S. Szukalski, Kiedy przemoc jest prawem, „Krak” 1937, No. 1 [December], p. 26–30.
20
L. Lameński, Stach z Warty Szukalski…, p. 187.
21
S. Szukalski, Um a Armja – W obronie Nieznanego Żołnierza, „Atak Kraka” 1939, No. 1, p. 20.
‘Młodarmia’ is a neologism created from words ‘młodość’ (the youth) and ‘armia’ (an army).
22
Idem, Ku Sławji przez Unję Młodych…, p. 5.
126 AGNIESZKA GAJDA

Szukalski did not introduce any concrete project of Poland II system

nor the political programme. For example he mentioned about Rada Ośrodka
Zamierzeń – ROZ UMu [the Council of the Centre of Intentions of the Union
of Youth], but its description was closed in one sentence: “it will be the mouths
of racial Will of young generation and the beginning of the new Society, that is
Poland II”23. He specified only the division of competences: “Older generation
was left with just mundane the policy, that is internal, and younger generation the
external policy.”24 He told only openly about what the Union of Youth directly
protested: “Away with communism – from world! With the Old – from social
life! Jews – from Poland! Clergy – from policy!”25 The Emblem of Poland II was
to be Toporzeł26, the main place of cult – the Duchtynia27.
Conception of Great Sławia28 – despite that turbid and devoided of con-
cretes – projected by Szukalski as a federation of all Slavic states with Poland as
a leader was an answer to the growing power of neighbouring states29. Szukalski
was aware of the threat that Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union were (first of
all their ideologies, being the driving force for the young, strong nations), there-
fore the decided to oppose ideology30. In his article “Towards Great Sławja” he
names three dangerous universalisms for Slavdom: Germanism of the “nomadic
descendants of Atilla”, communism joining descendants of Czingis as well as
Catholicism. He calls simultaneously: “We have to begin co-operation under the
name of our own Universalism, Slavs, and this is Great Sławia.”31 Concentrating
of all Slavic nations and the creation of one Sławia will restore Slavs their size
and – in contemporary political reality –it will make the survival and the conquest
of the imperial position possible. Szukalski claimed that

[…] our map should unite at least the whole of Ruthenia, Lithuania, Romania and at least
the half of Black Sea, but not as a result of conquest but the effectiveness of influences of
our ideology and voluntary connection of these nations with ours32.

He proposed that the national names should fulfill the function of terri-
torial and tribal redenomination, and to create “internally national and outside
23
Idem, Um a Armja…, p. 21.
24
Idem, Ku Sławji przez Unję Młodych…, p. 4.
25
Idem, Dlaczego Krak, „Krak” 1937, No. 1, p. 10.
26
‘Toporzeł’ is a neologism created from words ‘topór’ (an axe, hatchet) and ‘orzeł’ (an eagle).
27
‘Duchtynia’ is a neologism created from words ‘duch’ (spirit) and ‘świątynia’ (temple).
28
Sławia or Sławiańszczyzna is literally: ‘Slavdom’, but emphasising an etymology from sława (fame,
glory). The common forms of ‘Slav’ and its cognates are spelled with an ‘o’ in Polish, reflecting a probable ety-
mology from *slovo, meaning ‘those who speak (an intelligible Slavic dialect)’. Another possible etymology is
from *slava, thereby meaning ‘those who are famous and glorious.’ The use of a form that emphasised ‘Glory’
had great ideological value. The glories of the past help salve the wounds of the present.
29
L. Lameński, Stach z Warty Szukalski…, p. 223.
30
S. Szukalski, Naród a Polska…, p. 50.
31
Idem, Ku wielkiej Sławji, „Atak Kraka” 1939, nr 1, p. 4.
32
Idem, Naród a Polska…, p. 51.
 STACH FROM WARTA SZUKALSKI AND THE TRIBE... 127

Rodosławiańsko33, one Union of Youth, regardless the age and membership”34.

His conception was polono-slavic35, Poland thanks to the spiritual domination
was to fulfill the leading part among remaining Slavic nations:

“Krak” aims at this, that the future Poland should stop calling itself Poland, and in close
future begin to define itself a universal name, Sławia. […] we want Poland which would
change its name into Sławia, to keep its original name for territorical qualification of its
geographical position only, meanwhile with its spiritual superiority in leadership among
Slavs’ family.36

Szukalski distanced himself from projecting socio-political programme of

future Slavic federation, because programmes are “good on paper”. He proposed
that initially Great Sławia would accept a programme modeled on the American
one, which would be gradually modified in accordance with needs. dependence.
Durability of that creation, except “the relation of blood and the Rodosławiaństwa”
was to guarantee the political, economic, cultural and strategic correlation.
Unusually essential part, which Szukalski gave to the Union of Youth “on
the road towards Wielkunja37 Sławji” (the Great Union of Sławia) was the task
of reconstruction of Polish – and wider Slavic – national character. This should
be the ground to start creating the ideology of Polish nation. “The defence of
Young nations of the whole Sławia, the start of new spirit and the building the
Slavic Twórczyn, these three leading signs are the aim of our historic pilgrim-
age, towards the horizons of happiness.”38 This “duty of introduction of spiritual
changes is by conjuring new Spirit”, is indispensable for construction of strong,
“truly Polish” Poland II is possible by the appeal to the common, chaste Slavic
heritage only. Pagan heritage. This was the task for the Młodarmia (Youth Army),
“tough men in uniforms”, who were to teach future generations forgotten chiv-
alry39. Szukalski draws from symbolism of pagan times with full hands, when
Slavs were free, great and united for the last time:

After crushing the statue of Światowied40 our historical unity was torn. Great blocks of
statue are hidden in different nations, meanwhile small particles in our own hearts. We are
broken and spilled like him, and the time is coming to rebuild him. […] When through the
Union of Youth we will concentrate all our nations in one Slavic Nation, in one inseparable

33
It’s a neologism created from words ‘ród’ (family, clan, line) and ‘Sławiańszczyzna’ (Slavdom).
34
Idem, Ku wielkiej Sławji…, p. 5–6.
35
The conviction of a leading role of Poland among other Slavic nations became popular on the 19th
century slavophilia and among polish neo-pagans of the first half of the 20th century.
36
Idem, Mieszańcy, „Krak” 1937, No. 1 [December], p. 12.
37
‘Wielkunja’ is a neologism created from words ‘wielka’ (great) and ‘unia’ (union).
38
Idem, Mieszańcy…, p. 12.
39
Idem, Um a Armja…, p. 19.
40
Świętowit (also Światowid, Sventevith etc.) is the Slavic deity of war, fertility and abundance. The
most famous sculpture of this God is the Zbruch Idol from 9th century – one of the rarest monuments of pre-
Christian Slavic beliefs. The statue is now on display in the Archaeological Museum in Kraków, Poland, with
exact copies located in a number of museums, including the State Historical Museum in Moscow.
128 AGNIESZKA GAJDA

Sławia then our ancestors’ God, Światowied will appear and lead us towards the sun of his-
tory. By the Union of Youth, towards Great Sławia!41

“The morality of pagan self-appointed vigour is in force today, and not the
Christian compliance and the Semitic groan”.42 Szukalski was offended by the
praise of weakness, suffering, humility, poverty, the order of loving the enemies
or the condemnation the eroticism in Christianity, in which he saw the creative
phenomenon and the motor of working for a man43. Generally he reconciled
in reigning Christian order not only appealing to pagan Slavic symbolism and
sharply criticizing the clericalization of contemporary Poland, but also denying
the parenniality and the perfection of Christian morality:
What weak shall fall, morality is beyond parenthesis of history, and plays part only there
where winter drops, and bezdzieje44 begins. Man created God himself with his mind, there-
fore nowadays let him build his own history. Otherwise other people’s Gods he will love
and other people’s history he will cultivate.45

Szukalski claimed he did not deny Christianity, however he underlined

distinctly, that it was “tragedy of ours”, both in Catholic and orthodox version46.
Szukalski presented his conceptions of international policy as well. He claimed
that the economic powers of England, France, Italy and Germany should be de-
stroyed (because they are only interested in military conquests) by the interna-
tional boycott, and later removed from Europe. In this way Neuropa would be
born, free from wars, in which cultural life in accordance with the Twórcownia’s
methods would bloom. The Symbol of Neuropa was to be “the Gamadion” – dou-
ble, turned swastika. Szukalski was also fascinated by the “youthful” diplomatic
impertinence of Nazi Germans, Russians, Italians and also by the unusual accom-
plishments of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in Turkey. He enthusiastically advocated
that “the epoch is made by those who dare hold the Providence by the muzzle
[…] and to go where the benefits for their own race are.”47 He presented his
anti-Semitic opinions, he even designed “G.O.J.” labels, where G. O. J. stood for
“Gospodarczą Organizujemy Jedność” [“We organize economic unity”], which
were meant to label Christian shops (as the law forbade to do this with Jewish
premises). Political conceptions by Szukalski were turbid, often derived from re-
ality and – as L. Lameński writes – both in artist’s abnormal psyche48, which did
not gain followers to his ideas.
41
Idem, Ku Sławji przez Unję Młodych…, p. 5–6.
42
Idem, Kiedy przemoc jest prawem…, p. 29.
43
S. Żechowski, Na jawie…, p. 88–89.
44
‘Bezdzieje’ is a neologism created from words ‘dzieje’ (history) and ‘bez’ (without, also lack, scar-
city). It was often used by Jan Stachniuk to describe the history of Poland under the Christian rule with no sign
of truly Polish culture.
45
S. Żechowski, Na jawie…, p. 30.
46
S. Szukalski, Sławianie!, „Atak Kraka” 1939, No. 1, p. 3.
47
Idem, Kiedy przemoc jest prawem…, p. 29.
48
L. Lameński, Stach z Warty Szukalski…, p. 223.
 STACH FROM WARTA SZUKALSKI AND THE TRIBE... 129

In the artistic property of Szukalski Toporzeł and the conception of Duch-

tynia bears special meaning for Polish Native Faith groups. Toporzeł is a com-
bination of a symbol of Polish eagle and double-edged carpenters’-military axe,
which Szukalski designed as an emblem of Poland II.

Since we are in the need of moral, ethical, disciplinary and psychical rebirth, therefore the
symbol of double-edged carpenter’s axe, the tool of building and ancient equipment of our
Nation in the hand war, it is the most appropriate.49

Toporzeł gave name to a present publishing house50, propagating works

of Zadruga51 and other important for neo-pagan environment figures. Toporzeł
with a crown was the symbol of Unia Społeczno-Narodowa [the Socio-National
Union]. It also appears in neo-pagan magazines (“Lechia Stragona”, “Żywioł”)
and is used by Nacjonalistyczne Stowarzyszenie “Zadruga” (the Nationalist As-
sociation “Zadruga”) or Stowarzyszenie na Rzecz Tradycji i Kultury “Niklot”
(the Association for Tradition and Culture “Niklot”). What may be interesting it
can also be found in “Szczerbiec” by Narodowe Odrodzenie Polski [National Re-
vival of Poland], because despite all Szukalski can’t be recognized as a “classic”
native pagan. It is certain that he was an open anti-clericalist and even for a short
period of time he co-operated with Jan Stachniuk and Zadruga, however he did
not agree on the denial of the Catholic system of value and tried to connect it with
the conception of Światowid52.
Duchtynia by Szukalski was to be built over and in the Dragon’s Cave in
Wawel and was to be made the necropolis of “Poland II” as the equivalent of
the Cathedral in Wawel where the rulers and heroes of “Poland I”53 rest. What’s
more the idea of Duchtynia had a clear anti-catholic undertone – Szukalski in-
dignant with the controversies connected with Commander Piłsudski funeral, de-
signed the Dragon’s Cave as a necropolis “where those who served the Nation
would be worshipped, and the Cathedral for these, who served the Church”54.
The cave was to be opened to the sky, walls cleaned up and lighted with acid.
Inside, there was supposed to be a sculptured memorial commemorating Com-
mander Piłsudski. The Liberator’s statue, representing the Commander, was to
stand at the entry to the cave. Inside the tombs of prominent Poles were to sur-
round the statue of Światowid. This sculpture, representing figure of four faces,

49
S. Szukalski, Projekt zbudowania Duchtyni, [in:] Wykaz prac Stanisława Szukalskiego i Szczepu
Rogate Serce, Warszawa 1936, p. 37.
50
Founded in 1990 in Wrocław by Zdzisław Słowiński.
51
Zadruga – Polish nationalist, anti-clerical organization, founded in 1935 by Jan Stachniuk. It refered
to native Slavic culture and beliefs. Zadruga became the biggest and most resilient neo-pagan movement in
interwar Poland.
52
S. Simpson, Native Faith. Polish Neo-Paganism at the Brink of the 21st Century, Kraków 2000,
p. 62–63.
53
Poland I was the pre-partition Poland.
54
S. Szukalski, Waweljada. Obywatelskość a bałagan, „Krak” 1937, No. 1 [December], p. 61.
130 AGNIESZKA GAJDA

eight hands, sitting on a splendid, white stallion, was to reach the opening in the
roof of the cave. Face turned South was to represent Kazimierz Wielki (Kazimi-
erz the Great) and to symbolise: afternoon, Summer, the Rise of power, Build-
ing of the country, Peace, Wealth and the Prosperity. Face turning West was to
represent Mikołaj Kopernik (Nicolaus Copernicus), and symbolise: Evening, the
West, the Harvest, Culture, Saving the Knowledge, Atrophy of National Sense,
Pacifism and the Oversight the Physical Side of Life. Northern face belonged to
Adam Mickiewicz, it incarnate: the Night, the North, Winter, Slavery, Dying of
the Will, Freezing of the Life Juices, the Day-dreaming, the Martyrdom and the
Prophetic Foresight of the Arrival of Spring – the Independence. However face
turned eastwards, the same side that stallion’s, belonged to Marshal Piłsudski and
symbolised: the Morning, Spring, Awakening of political sense, Krwizna (the
Revolution), War for freedom, the Liberation. Piłsudski was to hold Toporzeł
and to whet him with his heart - the whetstone. The whole construction was to be
placed on a marble pole, inside which, one and only Świętoporzeł55 was to be put
and lit with “eternal, electric light”56. To this trunk, “in Commander’s Piłsudski
presence” Poles would give oaths, both private (eg. engaged, faithfulnesses) and
public, political, international.57
Szukalski after leaving Poland with the explosion of world war II dedicated
himself towards scientific activity: for over 50 years he worked over the theory of
Zermatism and Macimowa (Mother tongue). He was unusually controversial and
charismatic artist, whom people could either adore or hate. Despite his prominent
works, he was not put in charge of the realization of projects of monuments (be-
yond Katowice) – towards which he contributed with his shocking and offensive
tirades. His pupil Stefan Żechowski’s words describe him accurately:

It would be a mistake to call this man a sane person whilst he possessed that madness
which appears in brilliant men, men faithful to their own ideas till the end and often ready
to give their lives for those. Though we would judge him even most severely his legacy
will remain, free of negation and ensure him immortality – his sculptures and drawings, his
extraordinary work of Art.58

Horned Heart Tribe stopped existing in autumn 1936. The former members
of the group tried to develop their careers in a way – often in contradiction with
their Master teachings.

55
‘Świętoporzeł’ is a neologism created from words ‘święty’ (holy) and ‘Toporzeł’.
56
Idem, Projekt zbudowania Duchtyni…, p. 37–38.
57
Ibidem, p. 36–38; S. Simpson, Native Faith..., p. 60–63; J. Majchrowski, Szkice z historii polskiej
prawicy politycznej lat II Rzeczypospolitej, Kraków 1986; L. Lameński, Stach z Warty Szukalski…, s. 187–
191.
58
S. Żechowski, Na jawie…, p. 91. Szukalski’s art was again appreciated after his death. To this fact
contributed famous actor Leonardo di Caprio, metal band Tool and many more. Szukalski is now quite popular
in USA – mainly his art, not political beliefs.